Partially submerged and partially enclosed watercraft

ABSTRACT

A watercraft wherein the cabin is open at the top after passengers are loaded into the cabin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a partially submersible paddle boat used for recreational purposes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Recreational watercraft are known in the prior art. For example, row boats, paddle boats, sail boats, and kayaks have been available for many years.

The above watercraft are designed to operate on the water surface so that viewing anything below the water surface is difficult. However, recreational watercraft designed to operate as a submersible craft have also been available. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,676 to Kohnen et al discloses a submersible craft having a buoyancy control system and a sealed passenger chamber. Although the '676 craft is designed primarily as a submersible craft, it includes a buoyancy control system that enables the craft to rise from a submerged position to a surfaced position. The various on-board systems that provide this functionality are costly and labor intensive regarding the maintenance thereof.

The current submersibles on the market are complex, difficult to control and expensive to manufacture and designed to submerge will below the water surface. Submersibles that are in constant contact with persons on the water surface or on land are complex with numerous controls and generally requires electrical power to activate the controls.

What is desired is to provide a watercraft that is partially submersible when in an operating mode and which is simple in construction and relatively inexpensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a partially submersible watercraft that includes an enclosure, or cabin, that is open at the top. The watercraft is powered by pedals operated by the user of the watercraft, the pedals controlling paddles connected thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the watercraft of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed perspective view of the watercraft of the present invention;

FIG. 3( a) is a simplified front view showing a seated watercraft user,

FIG. 3( b) is a simplified front view showing the watercraft powered by a propeller; and

FIG. 3( c) is a simplified side view of the watercraft of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a partially submersible watercraft that has an enclosure, or cabin, with an open top portion.

FIG. 1 illustrates the submersible watercraft 10 of the present invention.

Watercraft 10 comprises a pair of pontoons 12 and 14, a cabin 16 for carrying passengers and a pair of seats 18 and 20 for passengers to rest on. Strips of anti-slip material 22 are secured to the upper surface of each pontoon and, in a preferred mode, anti-slip material is also applied to the arms 26 of seats 18 and 20 and also to the top edges 28 of each seat. Rods 30, 32 and 36 function to secure pontoons 12 and 14 and cabin 16 together and provide rigidity to the watercraft. In addition, the rods can be used by the passengers to aid in entering or exiting cabin 16. Cabin 16 is designed to be neutrally buoyant without passengers. As passengers enter the cabin, pontoons 12 and 14 carry their weight and sit slightly lower in the water when loaded, but not submerged below the water. The anti-slip material prevents passengers from slipping when entering or exiting cabin 16. Passengers would initially step on either pontoon (or both) and then onto the chair back and the armrests as they lower themselves into cabin 16.

The watercraft 10 is designed such that when fully loaded, the top of enclosure 16 protrudes above the surface of the water 40 at a distance sufficient to prevent water from entering the enclosure (interior 42). This enables the top of the enclosure 16 to remain open during operation of the watercraft and allows passengers both to have a better view of the surrounding environment and also to accommodate passengers who may have fears of being totally enclosed. Cylindrical covers 50 and 52 cooperate with paddles 54 and 56, respectively, to drive watercraft 10 through the water. Note that neck/collar portion 58 of cabin 16 extends above the surface of pontoons 12 and 14 to ensure that the water surface is below the top edge of cabin 16. Although a single pedal 59 is illustrated, a similar pedal system is available to the front seat passenger. A skid (weighted material) 61 is affixed to the bottom of cabin 16 in order to keep the cabin collar 58 above the water surface when passengers have not been loaded into the cabin. Pontoons 12 and 14, in conjunction with skid 61, keeps collar 58 above the water surface when passengers are loaded into cabin 16.

FIG. 2 is a partial cut-away view of the watercraft 10 shown in FIG. 1 and illustrates pedals 50 and 52 located in front of seat 18, the pedals powering watercraft 10 through the water.

FIG. 3( a) is a simplified front view illustrating a passenger 60 sitting in enclosure 16, FIG. 3( b) is a simplified front view illustrating the use of propellers 62 as an alternate propulsion mechanism and FIG. 3( c) is a simplified side view illustrating seats 18 and 20 and paddles 54 positioned on the outside surface 59 of cabin 16.

In order to steer watercraft 10, the pedals are individually operated and not interconnected. Thus, the passengers can pedal with only one foot while the other is stationary, or if they are coordinated, pedal in the opposite direction which will turn watercraft 10. In order to accomplish this, a vertical strut support 60 supports the axial rotation of both pedal axles. Strut 60 a bearing inserted therein, the bearing providing axis alignment and support.

Other steering mechanisms may be utilized but having the pedals operated in the manner noted above is less costly and more reliable.

While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A watercraft comprising: a cabin for receiving passengers; the cabin comprising a transparent material having an open top and a vertically extending housing and a bottom surface; a pair of support members extending from opposite sides of the cabin to provide buoyancy to the cabin such that the top edge is a predetermined distance above the waterline when passengers are loaded into the cabin; a seat within the enclosure to enable at least one passenger to be seated; and means within the enclosure to enable a passenger to propel the watercraft through the water.
 2. The watercraft of claim 1 wherein the propelling means comprises pedals connected to paddles positioned external to said cabin.
 3. The watercraft of claim 1 wherein an anti-slip material is provided on the surface of the extended members.
 4. The watercraft of claim 3 wherein said seat has an arm and a seat back with an upper edge portion.
 5. The watercraft of claim 4 wherein an anti-slip material is provided on said seat arm.
 6. The watercraft of claim 5 wherein an anti-slip material is positioned on the arm of said seat.
 7. The watercraft of claim 6 wherein an anti-slip material is positioned on said seat upper edge.
 8. The watercraft of claim 1 wherein a weighted material is attached to the bottom surface of said cabin. 